From: Cindy Marple and Mark Ochs
Sunday July 9 The bright male VARIED BUNTING photographed June 27 was seen again today, nearly two weeks later, and in the same location: at the rock wall water feature as you enter the Desert Legume Garden. Our Sunday bird walk group enjoyed good views after it hopped over the rock wall and perched in vegtation immediately above and behind the wall. Hooded Orioles and Canyon Wrens were among our most frequent sightings Sunday morning - with family groups observed near the visitor center, Smith Building parking lot and the Cactus Garden. The Hummingbird Garden had an immature Costa's perched near one Anna's Hummingbird; we observed a Broad-billed at the Children's Garden entrance, just east of the Smith Building. A Great Blue Heron was at Ayer Lake, and 3 Juvenile Cooper's Hawk youngsters are flying around the Eucalyptus forest - loudly calling to their parents for food. Other birds today included Turkey Vulture, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven,
Purple Martin, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler,
Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Black-throated Sparrow, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Peggy Trantham
Friday June 7 The chance for some nighttime birding allowed us to see and hear Elf Owl, Great Horned Owl, Lesser Nighthawk and Common Poorwill prior to our Friday guided birdwalk. Purple Martins and Cliff Swallow were flying above Ayer Lake, and we found a new Hooded Oriole nest! Look for this in a Mexican Fan Palm next to the Barbara J Southall bench right before the herb garden across from the trash can before the water fountain. We don't think the eggs have hatched yet, the female was sitting tight. We saw both her tai and her beak. Other birds this week included Gambel's Quail, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Turkey Vulture, White-winged Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher Purple Martin, Cliff Swallow, Canyon Wren, Yellow-breasted Chat, Hooded Oriole, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird,
Cassin's Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak and House Finch.

From: Mark Ochs
Sunday June 11 In addition to the report Marc posted below, today our guided birdwalk group of 14 also found Hammond's Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Curve-billed Thrasher and House Sparrow. Thanks to directions from Lisa & Peggy we had views of a bat, probably a Southern Yellow Bat, day-roosted in a palm tree - and after that saw a Gray Fox near the herb garden.

From: Cynthia Donald and Pete Moulton
Saturday March 18
A Gray Flycatcher foraging in eucalyptus trees at the entrance to the Demonstration Garden was a good find
today, Lucy’s Warblers are singing everywhere - and we had brief views of a female Summer Tanager
inside the Demo Garden, brief due to the Cooper’s Hawk perched in a Eucalyptus in the Demo Garden,
effectively putting a damper on many songsters! Speaking of hawks, we had lovely close views of a Red-tailed
and it appears the cliff nest where they fledged young hawks last year more sticks added - so keep a watch!
Ayer Lake has just one American Coot – arguably the loneliest coot in all of Arizona, though it had a
singing Song Sparrow and Red-winged Blackbirds as neighbors. Other birds today included Gambel’s Quail, many Turkey Vulture
Mourning Dove, several Inca Dove calling in the Demo Garden; at least 6 male
Broad-billed Hummingbirds - more than I’ve ever seen at one day there, and we were treated to a pair of males ‘fencing’ in the Demo Garden.
We saw one handsome male Costa’s Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird; Gila Woodpecker (several, including one male peering from a Saguaro hole nest);
Black Phoebe, Bewick’s Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren (heard at least 3 songsters but each stayed out of view
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird (mimicking thrasher calls in the Demo Garden); Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s),
Abert’s Towhee, Chipping Sparrow Demo Garden);
White-crowned Sparrow; Northern Cardinals were just about everywhere -- and beautiful; also Hooded Oriole – Demo Garden briefly (see Cooper’s Hawk, above)
House Finch – males are stunning this time of year! Singing throughout - and House Sparrow.

From: Cynthia Donald and Pete Moulton
Saturday March 4
We were happy to see A Sora at Ayer Lake - the first time one has been reported there since December of 2014! One lonely American Coot was the only other water bird seen on the lake. A Cooper’s Hawk was perched in the eucalyptus grove across from the drover’s shed -- which explains our lack of anything else feathered in the area just then. A few other notable observations included an Inca Dove calling, and
pair of Gila Woodpeckers eating mistletoe - first time I've seen that! Other birds today included Gambel’s Quail,
Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker,
Black Phoebe, Bell’s Vireo, Verdin (we watched two active nests); Bewick’s Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling,
Phainopepla, Canyon Towhee (singing - which was a treat -- we don’t often see Canyon Towhees at BTA!); Abert’s Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Lincoln’s Sparrow,
Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Carl Tomoff
February 22, Wednesday
In addition to most of the species noted yesterday, this morning I observed an adult Red-tailed Hawk, an early cooing White-wing Dove, an Inca Dove, a vocal Hammond’s Flycatcher near the palm grove, a female Vermilion Flycatcher east of Ayer Lake, one Marsh Wren, a flock of 6 Western Bluebirds calling overhead, an Orange-crowned Warbler (foraging with a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and three Yellow-rumped Warblers in a flowering cottonwood near Ayer Lake), and one Rufous-crowned Sparrow. A pair of European Starlings investigated cavities in saguaros. The singing Bell’s Vireo ranged from the west end of the Demo Garden to the Hummingbird Garden. Lesser Goldfinches sang vigorously throughout the gardens much of the day.

From: Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton - along with Mark Ochs
Date: October 1, Saturday
Today's guided birdwalk started and ended with Townsend's Warbler - we lone male seen in the Hummingbird Garden as we begn the walk, and then we saw a female with a male around 11:00 as we ended it in the same spot. The Demonstration Garden had the most activity and variety Saturday: Red-naped Sapsucker, Lincoln's Sparrow and Warbling Vireo - and one Black-headed Grosbeak was in the Eucalyptus grove. An Eared Grebe and also a male Belted Kingfisher are still present up at Ayer Lake Ayer. Also on our checklist from today were Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk,
Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker,
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 1 Western-type Flycatcher (Pacific-slope or Cordilleran);
Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, House Wren,
Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla (a flock of at least 6 up above Ayer Lake);
Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal,
House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: September 20, 2016, Tuesday
The Eared Grebe continued at Ayer Lake where a Sharp-shinned Hawk visited and a single Barn Swallow drank on the wing. A Greater Roadrunner called on the distant slope south of the picnic area where a recently fledged Rufous-crowned Sparrow called incessantly. I added single Cassin’s and Hutton’s Vireos as well as lone Yellow and Townsend’s Warblers. A female Varied Bunting bathed in trickling water flowing down the slope east of Ayer Lake. A solitary Lesser Nighthawk foraged at dusk.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: September 19, 2016, Monday
In addition to most species recorded yesterday, I observed an Eared Grebe at Ayer Lake, a Rufous Hummingbird, the season’s first Red-naped Sapsuckers (2 males), one Western Wood-Pewee, a male Vermilion Flycatcher, one Ash-throated Flycatcher, one Plumbeous Vireo, one female Indigo Bunting, and two Hooded Orioles. Bell’s Vireos and Abert’s Towhees still fed fledglings.

From: Rick Wright
Date: Monday, August 8Monday guided bird walk participants were rewarded by seeing a bright male PAINTED BUNTING near the wooden fence along the west boundary of the Picnic Area at 8:45 am; the handsome bird allowed excellent views while foraging on the ground in a small patch of grass below the wooden fence that separates the picnic area from the Demonstration Garden. It was first seen on the picnic area side (near the gap in the fence that's large enough to walk through, if you're taking a short-cut between the two gardens); later it was seen in the new pollinator garden in the center of the Demonstration Garden. Bird checklists posted on the Arboretum website since 2003 have no record of Painted Bunting - making this colorful bird a most notable rarity.
A vocal BLUE GROSBEAK was found in Queen Creek nearby, as well. The vocal male Varied Bunting previously reported several days over the past week was seen and heard again Sunday evening behind tool sheds near the Smith Building, but not in a public or accessible area of the Arboretum. We also saw a male PURPLE MARTIN stopby Ayer Lake - and before the walk began a MacGillvray's Warbler was near the Hummingbird-butterfly Garden.
Other birds seen and heard today included Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Mourning-Dove, Inca Dove, White-winged Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker,
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven,
Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal,
Hooded Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Sunday, August 7Rufous-crowned Sparrow was a notable find today - and we had fine views of an immature Turkey Vulture before it took to the air to join a dozen other vultures circling away to forage for the day. A Black-throated Gray Warbler was in the Picnic Area and one Black-chinned Hummingbird at the nectar feeders. Also seen and heard today were Gambel's Quail, Mourning-Dove, Inca Dove, White-winged Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker,
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Phainopepla, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Charles Babbitt and Mark Ochs
Date: Saturday, April 16This morning when my group was leaving the Demonstration Garden I spotted a
small raptor at a long distance away and very high up. I was the only one who
had a clear look -- but I remarked to the group that it appeared to be a small
buteo, possibly a Broad-winged Hawk. Strongly back lit by the sun, it lacked the wide tail bands of an adult leading me to conclude it was a juvenile. I checked a good photograph of a juvenile in flight when I got home which confirmed for me the ID. Interestingly, since posting, I received a message from Rich Ditch who said he had a high flying Broad-tailed Hawk on an Arboretum walk on the same date in 2011. Today also marked the "first of season" Summer Tanager for BTA, a male seen near the picnic area parking lot, where Flycatchers worked the first row of trees just inside the picnic area, including one Dusky and one Pacific-slope (Mark Ochs added a Hammond's). Two more "first of season" sightings today were Brown-crested Flycatcher and Western Kingbird. Ayer Lake still has a pair of Neotropic Cormorants along with Red-winged Blackbird and Pied-billed Grebe. Other birds today included Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture,
White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove,White-throated Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Brewer's Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole,
House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Cindy Marplewith additional sightings by Mark Ochs & John Ray
Date: Saturday, March 5
Turkey Vultures are back - we saw three circling overhead this morning. We found one Yellow-bellied Sapsucker near the aloe garden in Queen Creek Canyon, working a tall tree on the south side of the path. We had a whole family of Vermilion Flycatchers: male, female and 2 young (last year’s), up by the Picket Post house - we saw them on the wires and in the top of the huge tree that towers over the mansion. One Hammond’s Flycatcher was seen near the wooden fence separating the picnic area from the Demonstration Garden. 2 Neotropic Cormorants are now at Ayer Lake, along with Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot. Others on our checklist today: Gambel’s Quail, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Abert’s Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Kathe Anderson & Marceline VandeWater
Date: Saturday, February 20
The season's first Bell's Vireo was singing near the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden around noon today; today was a winner for Vireos - with a Plumbeous Vireo in a pistachio tree near the Australian Pavilion, and a vocal Hutton's Vireo in the Picnic Area parking lot. Red-tailed Hawks are definitely nesting again this year on cliffs above Queen Creek -- Kathe observed both hawks in flight - and Marceline saw one swoop down to land at the nest. Anna's Hummingbirds are also nesting (we found at least two); and we had good views of Lincoln's Sparrows in two locations - near the iron sculpture at the south side of the eucalyptus grove, and also foraging beneath eucalyptus trees near the Smith Building. In the Eucalyptus Grove we also found a Hammond’s Flycatcher. A Black-throated Gray Warbler was near the Australian "seep" water feature; an unusually drab-brown Green-Tailed Towhee was a fun surprise at the aloe terrace just west of the herb garden. Also on our list for today: Gambel’s Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Inca Dove, Anna’s Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say’s Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, American Robin, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Abert’s Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Thursday, February 11
This morning’s major highlight was watching an adult Golden Eagle ride thermals over Arnett Canyon before gliding eastward. Another occurred in the Demo Garden when I was alerted to a female Western Tanager by her calls in the canopy of trees; she perched briefly in full sunlight. An American Robin foraged in the Hummingbird Garden. An Orange-crowned Warbler along Silver King Wash flew into the Cactus Garden while a male Black-throated Gray Warbler foraged in the Chihuahuan Garden.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Wednesday, February 10
In addition to most of the species observed yesterday, today I found: an adult Cooper’s Hawk perched at Ayer Lake; a Red-tailed Hawk that flew from the canyon to north of the highway; a Hutton’s Vireo in the conifers at the dam; a Rock Wren; a Green-tailed Towhee near the drover’s shed; a Spotted Towhee near the Smith Building; a Rufous-crowned Sparrow in Queen Creek Canyon; a pair of Canyon Towhees on the east slope above Ayer Lake, and a Chipping Sparrow in breeding plumage near the main parking lot.

From: Cindy Marplewith additional sightings by Carla Stanley, also John Ray
Date: Saturday, February 6
A gusty morning suppressed bird activity - but our guided bird walk group had a great day with towhees and wrens; a Green-tailed Towhee was near the Herb Garden and we also found Canyon, Abert's and Spotted; and tallied five wren species: House, Bewick's, Rock, Canyon and Cactus. A female Western Tanager in the Picnic Area was a surprise (associating with an American Robin and a Northern Cardinal); and John Ray, birding separately from our group, also reported a Hammond's Flycatcher. Others on the list today include Gambel's Quail, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca dove, Anna's Hummingbird,
Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Hermit thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla,
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House sparrow.
EDITOR'S NOTE guided 830am bird walks continue with Anne Leight guiding on February 14, Kathe Anderson February 20 – then Troy Corman along with Anne February 28.

From: Anne Leight and Kathe Anderson
Date: Sunday, January 31
Hints of spring are beginning: we observed a Red-tailed hawk doing a courtship display; Anna's hummingbirds on nests and Phainopeplas paired-up. A few highlights included 1 Gilded Flicker at Silver King Wash, also a
Hammond's Flycatcher that hung around the picnic area along Queen Creek. Among 40 species found today were 12 Gambel's Quail, 1 Pied-billed Grebe diving at Ayer Lake (also 1 American Coot); 4 Inca Dove huddled in tree bordering the wash on southwest corner of picnic area; 13 Anna's Hummingbirds – notably, 2 females on nests. Also 5 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Red-naped Sapsucker (one in the pine out front of the Smith building, plus a brighter one seen nearby; 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 1 Black Phoebe, 1 Say's Phoebe 1, 2 Common Raven,
7 Verdin, 3 Canyon Wren, 1 House Wren, 2 Bewick's Wren, 5 Cactus Wren (two near the Visitor Center entrance, three more along the Magma Ridge Trail); 11 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 7 Hermit Thrush, 2 American Robin 2 (watch for robing and also Hermit thrush enjoying the red Nandina berries at the front entry corner of the Demonstration Garden); 2 Curve-billed Thrasher, 1 Northern Mockingbird, 9 Phainopepla (many of these seen, and at all areas around the Arboretum); 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 7 Dark-eyed Junco (all were Oregon- type, and found in the picnic area scavenging seeds on the ground). 6 White-crowned Sparrow, 1 Song Sparrow, 2 Lincoln's Sparrow 2 (we heard the distinctive "zeet" of one, and saw the other at edges of wash near the white bridge over Silver King Wash); 2 Canyon Towhee seen along the Magma Ridge trail -- along with many cactus wrens; also 4 Abert's Towhee, 1 Green-tailed Towhee across from the Herb Garden and Clevenger House in brush about 2-feet off the ground. 2 Spotted Towhee (these were vocal, but one was seen in the Demonstration garden near the water feature); 4 Northern Cardinal, 1 Red-winged Blackbird (a male flew out of the reeds at Ayer lake), 4 Brown-headed Cowbirds which flew over the Picnic Area, 4 House Finch, 8 Lesser Goldfinch and 4 House Sparrow – seen near the Visitor Center 4 entrance courtyard. Read more on Ebird

From: Marceline VandeWater, Steven Prager & Cathy Wise - with Mark Ochs, too
Date: October 11, Sunday As with the Oct. 3 report below, this week we also found a Green-tailed Towhee in the the Children's Garden; Greater Roadrunner near Ayer Lake - and a male Belted Kingfisher at the lake. A Summer Tanager was near the white bridge over Silver King Wash; if you're in this spot watch for an empidonax flycatcher; possibly Cordilleran, foraging near ground level downstream of the bridge -- while here we also had a small flock of Western Meadowlarks fly overhead. We counted 22 Turkey Vultures as they circled overhead, and found two Vireo species today: Plumbeous and Warbling. Also on our checklist Sunday were Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird (both male and female seen); Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, House Wren, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton - with John Ray
Date: October 3, Saturday The Children's Garden, just East of the Smith Building, was the place to be Saturday morning - we saw two Green-tailed Towhees and also a pair of Canyon Towhees -- plus a Greater Roadrunner, which we seldom see at BTA. Ayer Lake still has a continuing male Belted Kingfisher - probably the same bird seen most days of the past week; we had fine views as he circled overhead -- and we saw a Great Blue Heron standing on rocks above the south side of the lake, watching for opportunities. Walking above Ayer Lake we saw two Western Meadowlarks fly over head. A bright Orange-crowned Warbler was in the eucalyptus forest - where we also heard a commotion of birds, probably scolding a snake or other predator, and including Bewick's Wren, Verdin and others who joined the scolding mob. At least 50 Turkey Vultures remain here - they circled overhead at the start of our guided walk, and Saturday marked the "first of season" Ruby-crowned Kinglet for BTA. Other birds on our checklist included Gambel's Quail, one American Coot at Ayer Lake, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker,Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, one female Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Dave Pearson, Nathan Williams, Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton, and John Ray
Date: September 19, Saturday At least 108 Turkey Vultures were perched along Magma Ridge - providing great views for guests at the seasonal Bye-Bye Buzzards event Saturday morning. A zone-tailed hawk flew by, providing a fine opportunity to compare underside plumage - the flyover by a Prairie Falcon was another highlight while observing the vultures. Black-headed Grosbeaks, Warbling Vireos and a few Western Tanagers foraged on berries of Chinese Pistachio trees on both sides of the herb Garden; one male Summer Tanager was also seen -- plus a cryptic tanager with unusual plumage, possibly a hybrid -- seen mid-morning between the Herb Garden and the suspension bridge (see Nathan's full description at the end of this report). Cynthia & Pete's group had views of a Gray Flycatcher above Ayer Lake along the Main Trail - along with a flock of a Lark Sparrows at the upper
end of the lake, seen foraging along the trail uphill and east to the waterfall gazebo. Nathan's group had an empidonax flycatcher (probably Dusky or Willow) along Queen Creek. Also today marked return of a few winter migrants: the season's first Marsh Wren - and first-of-season White-crowned Sparrow, Hermit Thrush and Red-naped Sapsucker. Our total of more than 50 species included Gambel's Quail, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Marsh Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, MacGillvray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. * Editor's Note: Nathan Williams described the atypical tanager saying "brilliant all-orange tanager, except for black wings with two wingbars, the top bar "orangy" - and the bottom bar white. Head and throat slightly speckled - possiblty indicating a young bird. Weakly streaked back. Did not observe any white on the tail tips, not a prominent grey cheek. Found between the herb garden and the bridge, moving west or downstream parallel to Queen Creek."

From Carl Tomoff
Date: July 27, MondayInitially alerted by distinctive call notes, I found a pair of VARIED
BUNTINGS near the Aboriginal Seep. They fed on Bristlegrass flowers and
developing seeds along with several Lesser Goldfinches. After 40 minutes
they flew into the adjacent eucalyptus grove. Then the male sang briefly
near Queen Creek and Silver King Wash. Fifteen minutes later I heard soft
calls and observed an immature Varied Bunting along dense native riparian
vegetation not far from the picnic area. Editor's Note: The next Arboretum bird walk is Saturday August 1 at 6:30am guided by Nathan Williams and included with $10 daily admission.

From Carl Tomoff
Date: July 26, Sunday Transient doves were evident during today’s natural history walk. At least 65 White-winged and 15 Mourning Doves flew overhead throughout the morning. One Eurasian Collared-Dove passed over, allowing a comparison with other doves. Inca Doves called briefly from the Demo Garden. Only a few Broad-billed and Anna’s Hummingbirds were noted. An adult Cooper’s Hawk flushed from the ground in the Legume Garden long after roosting vultures had departed. A pair of Western Kingbirds attended to two young birds while a few family groups of Brown-crested Flycatchers called boisterously. Only two Common Yellowthroats called at Ayer Lake; one male briefly skirted the marsh margin in full view. Two Black Phoebes sallied about and a pair of Purple Martins circled and dipped to drink from the pond. Two immature Lucy’s Warblers briefly visited lakeside vegetation. A raucous family of Common Ravens was heard. Verdins, many with second-brood young, were vocal and conspicuous. Several flocks of Phainopeplas (ranging from 4-8) flew overhead or visited fruiting shrubs. Other berry-eaters included transient Western Tanagers and Black-headed Grosbeaks. The fledgling cowbird previously noted in the Demo Garden was still being fed by a Bell’s Vireo. Other species seen or heard during the
walk included: Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers; Canyon and Cactus Wrens; Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Northern Cardinal, Abert’s Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch. Other highlights of the morning were discovering a Western Banded Gecko in
an irrigation control box in the Cactus Garden and watching dragonflies
that included: Flame Skimmer, Roseate Skimmer, Mexican Amberwing, Red
Saddlebags, Black Saddlebags, Blue Dasher, Blue-eyed Darner, and Common
Green Darner.Editor's Note: The next Arboretum bird walk is Saturday August 1 at 6:30am guided by Nathan Williams and included with $10 daily admission.

From Carl Tomoff
Date: July 14,TuesdayAn Elf Owl and two Western Screech-Owls called near the herb garden in dim
light after I watched unsuccessfully for Lesser Nighthawk at Ayer Lake.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: July 13, Monday
In addition to usual residents and summer breeders, I noted some early
migrants: three Tree Swallows bathed at Ayer as three immature N.
Rough-winged and an adult Barn Swallow foraged. Other transients
included: 1 male Western Tanager, 1 Black-headed Grosbeak, 1 male Lazuli
Bunting, and 2 Lark Sparrows. A first-year Scott’s Oriole fed at saguaro
fruit. Others of interest included: a singing Blue Grosbeak along Queen
Creek south of the Demonstration Garden, a pair of Bell’s Vireos feeding a
fledgling Brown-headed Cowbird at the entrance to that garden, one family
group of Lucy’s Warblers in the picnic area, and a Zone-tailed Hawk over
Queen Creek Canyon. Numerous Yellow-breasted Chats sang incessantly. Editors' Note: BTA's next 6:30am guided bird walk will be July 19 and guided by Anne Leight.

From: Mark Ochs
Date: Saturday June 27
Our Saturday bird walk group had fine views of a Peregrine Falcon at the east end of the Arboretum, soaring above Queen Creek Canyon - near the same area where two young Red-tailed Hawks were later observed circling together - with an adult Red-tail circling beneath them (probably a parent). Three Hummingbird species (Broad-billed, Costa's, Anna's) and three flycatchers (Brown-crested, Western Kingbird and Black Phoebe) were also notable - and we saw both Barn Swallow and Northern Rough-winged Swallows flying over Ayer Lake. An adult Bronzed Cowbird was perched above the woodland stream water feature near the entrance to the Demonstration Garden - while a juvenile cowbird was begging from its foster parent, a Lucy's Warbler, less than 50 yards away in the Picnic Area.
Other birds today include
Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow. Editors' Note: BTA's next 6:30am guided bird walk will be July 8 with Charles Babbitt.

From: Pat Leuders - Naturalist Journeys
Date: Thursday April 16
Bendire's Thrasher, Gray Catbird, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Solitary Sandpiper and Gray Vireo were all notable on a morning trip with our Heatherlea group from Naturalist Journeys/Caligo Ventures. The Bendire's Thrasher was out in the desert, we had great looks of it atop a bush and singing; facing NW near the bridge. The Gray Catbird was discussed with my fellow guide, a Ph.D in Ornithology. I see/hear these weekly in Saint Louis, and band them also - so we're 95% sure, but this was a "heard-only" bird, calling maybe 3-4 times, before we got to the bridge. The Solitary Sandpiper was on shore at Ayer lake; alone, a medium-sized shorebird with strong eyering, spotted back, bobbing tale. We saw 2
Gray Vireos chasing each other in an open area with brush (we also had the more common Bell's, Plumbeous and Cassins). The Willow Flycatcher had all the expected field mark -- and was seen in a willow, but not vocalizing. Other birds today included Gambel's Quail, Neotropic Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycacher, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Bushtit, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Bendire's Thrasher, Phainopepla, Curve-billed Thrasher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Nathan Williams, with John Ray and Cindy West
Date: Sunday April 12
One White-throated Sparrow with brilliant yellow lores, presumably a continuing individual of the ones reported over the past few months, was just past the herb garden Sunday morning for our bird walk group to see. A few other highlights include one Hammond's Flycatcher, on the opposite side of the path from the herb garden. It was actively flycatching but silent. A Cassin's Vireo was foraging along Queen Creek east of the bridge, in the area around the pumphouse and where the trail narrows and is bounded by the metal railing. I first spotted the Cassin's Vireo low across the creek in line with the palm trees (which incidentally contained a couple Hooded Orioles) and it then continued foraging along the creek and eventually crossed the creek into the tree at the pumphouse. The "first of season" Ash-throated Flycatcher, and one vocal male Scott's Oriole, which appeared to be feeding in the tall evergreens by Ayer Lake and was later seen just west of there in the huge Eucalyptus tree -- and then flew off in the direction of the main Eucalyptus Grove. I'm guessing it's a migrant that stopped for breakfast. We also had at least 5 Hooded Orioles. 3 Neotropic Cormorants remain up at Ayer Lake; other birds today included a kettle of Turkey Vultures observed circling over BTA just as our walk began, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon(a flyover); 1 White-winged Dove, numerous Mourning Dove, 3 Inca Dove, 6 White-throated Swift, numerous Anna's Hummingbird, 4 Costa's Hummingbird, 4 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 4 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Black Phoebe, numerous Bell's Vireo,
2 Plumbeous Vireo, numerous Violet-green Swallow, numerous Verdin, 1 Cactus Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, 1 Bewick's Wren, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 1 Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, 4 Orange-crowned Warbler, 8 Lucy's Warbler, 3 Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, 2 Common Yellowthroat, 1 Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, 5 Lark Sparrow, 1 Song Sparrow,
10 White-crowned Sparrow, 1 Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, 5 Hooded Oriole, Lesser Goldfinch, 2 House Sparrow.

From: Jim & Betsy Walker
Date: Monday April 6
A Gray Catbird pair near the water tank above Ayer Lake was notable today; has anyone else reported catbirds at BTA this week? A Snowy Egret was at Ayer Lake, and we had colorful views of Hooded Oriole - and a handsome male Black-throated Sparrow singing and guarding from a rock while a female fed young on the ground nearby. Among dozens of bird species today a few standouts included Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Plumbeous Vireo (vocal and seen in the picnic area), Bell's Vireo (vocal just about everywhere!), Violet-green Swallow. Also on the lookout for odonates, we saw these: Familiar Bluet (Ayer Lake), Amethyst Dancer (First time seen at Ayer Lake), Desert Firetail (three egg-laying pairs at the mini oasis), Blue-eyed Darner (Ayer Lake), Mexican Amberwing (Ayer Lake), Gray Sanddragon (first time seen at Ayer Lake, as opposed to Queen Creek), Flame Skimmer (Queen Creek), Common Whitetail (parking lot of picnic area -- which was a weird place to see one!)

From: Anne Leight
Date: Saturday, February 21
BTA’s scheduled birdwalk was joined by kids and adult chaperones from Desert Rivers Audubon’s EarlyBirders program – and we had a fine morning with 41 species total. Highlights include seeing 2 female HOODED MERGANSERS snoozing on the east side of Ayer lake at the edge of the cattails, plus 2 Neotropic Cormorants. One particularly vocal male RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER revealed himself in the pines at southeast corner of picnic area; not far from that a Red-breasted Nuthatch was at the southeast corner of the Eucalyptus grove, working nearby pine trees – probably the same over-wintering bird that’s been previously found at BTA over the past few months. Swallows are back – we saw 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallows over Ayer Lake, and 2 Cliff Swallows diving in and out of crannies in the cliff rock-face above the Clevenger House at the Herb Garden. Also notable were 4 Black-chinned Sparrows seen and heard as we walked the High Trail at 11:45am.
Other birds Saturday morning included a Red-tailed Hawk flyover, 1 American Coot at Ayer Lake, 11 Inca Dove on the fence that separates the Demonstration Garden from the Picnic Area; 1 White-throated Swift, 8 Anna's Hummingbird, 1 Costa's Hummingbird, 3 Gila Woodpecker, 3 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Black Phoebe, 1 Say's Phoebe, 1 vocal Bell's Vireo (Seen and heard 8:40am in the hummingbird-butterfly garden, right at the start of our bird walk; 1 Plumbeous Vireo, 2 Common Raven, 7 Verdin, 1 Rock Wren, 3 Canyon Wren, 1 Marsh Wren 1 (seen just briefly at Ayer Lake); 3 Cactus Wren, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 18 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 Hermit Thrush, 2 Curve-billed Thrasher, 1 Northern Mockingbird, 4 Phainopepla (we observed a male deliver food to a female where the trail elbows uphill toward Picketpost Mansion); 13 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 4 Abert's Towhee, 4 White-crowned Sparrow, 3 Dark-eyed Junco, 6 Northern Cardinal, 4 House Finch, 5 House Sparrow – and more Lesser Goldfinches than I could count! Birders – its worth stopping by the Picketpost Trailhead just west of the Arboretum; I stopped there before the birdwalk at BTA and found 4 Western Meadowlarks plus one Loggerhead Shrike.

From: Christopher Rustay, NM
Date: Monday, February 16
Two Neotropic Cormorants were at Ayer Lake, and a staffer reported five of these birds were there late on Sunday. The east end of the Arboretum, that hairpin-turn the main trail makes below Picketpost Mansion, was the place to be Monday morning -- I found a Hammond's Flycatcher there, at least two Hutton's Vireos, and a Black-throated Gray Warbler. Also notable today was an immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, easily distinguished from Red-naped Sapsuckers also seen at BTA. A Northern Rough-winged Swallow was seen, also White-throated Swift, Lincoln's Sparrow - and White-throated Sparrows in three separte locations (possibly the same individual, but that's unlikely). 1 Brown Creeper was also notable, foraging on what appeared to be a bare willow tree in the queen creek riparian area, east of the suspension bridge. 2 female Hooded Mergansers were on Ayer Lake; other birds seen and heard included Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Costa's Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnarcatcher,Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Peg Abbott , Naturalist Journeys of Portal, AZ
Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Great day to explore the gardens with seven participants on a naturalistjourneys.com field trip -- our highlight was to see four races of juncos foraging together near the Drover's Shed: slate-colored, Oregon, pink-sided and gray headed - and one Red-breasted Nuthatch also near the Drover's Shed, with a male Red-naped Sapsucker. Abert's Towhees were special for our out-of-state visitors, and we found at least 10 individuals around the Arboretum grounds (also Canyon and Spotted Towhee). We observed classic Phainopepla behavior watching a handsome male feeding on mistletoe berries, and a few other highlights were four male Northern Cardinals, 6 Yellow-rumped Warblers, two pairs of Black-tailed Gnatcatchers and at least 10 ruby-crowned Kinglets. The previously-reported female Hooded Merganser continues at Ayer Lake with one American Coot for company, and we crossed paths with 3 separate covies of Gambel's Quail. also on our checklist were Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, 4 Inca Doves between the picnic area and visitor center; about 6-8 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Common Raven, 2 pair of Verdins; Bewick's Wren (also Cactus, Rock and Canyon); Hermit Thrush, American Robin, 4 Northern Mockingbird, 7 Curve-billed Thrasher (two pair); White-crowned Sparrow, 3 House Finch, and numerous Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: January 13, tuesday
A female“YELLOW-SHAFTED” Northern Flicker visited the picnic area today while a
BELL’S VIREO moved through the area. This is possibly a second individual, since it was a
considerable distance from where a Bell’s was found yesterday.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: January 12, Monday
After a gentle overnight rain, I found the apparent wintering BELL’S VIREO; it traveled from the west end of the Chihuahuan Garden through the Cactus Garden to the boojum area. A few Cedar Waxwings visited briefly. A Plumbeous Vireo foraged in the vicinity of Cassin’s and Hutton’s Vireos, a Black-throated Gray Warbler, and numerous Ruby-crowned Kinglets near the Drover’s Shed. A Great Horned Owl flew over Ayer Lake into the desert north of the highway after sunset.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: January 11, Sunday
A male YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER drilled in salt cedars in the picnic grounds. An American Robin flew from near the Smith Building to the conifers at Ayer Lake where the Hooded Merganser foraged. Paul Wolterbeek first saw this merganser on January 6.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: January 9, Friday
Friday Highlights from a stroll in late afternoon included a HOODED MERGANSER and a female Mallard bathing at
Ayer Lake; later the Mallard flew off to the east. THREE tan-striped WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS foraged together near the herb Garden (all in the
same binocular view!) and a fourth scratched in the olive grove.

From: Richard Ditch & Kathe Anderson
Date: Sunday, Oct. 12
Sunday morning highlights included one Band-tailed Pigeon high on the south side of the canyon and observed from the 'switchbacks' section of the main trail at the East end of the Arboretum -- also many Western Tanagers in various locations. We had about 20 participants on the bird walk, clear value skies and warm temps; other birds, in order they were encountered, include: Say's Phoebe, House Finch, Gila Woodpecker, Gambel's Quail, Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, Bell's Vireo, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Common Raven, Western Tanager, Verdin, Lesser Goldfinch, Abert's Towhee, Turkey Vulture, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Marsh Wren, Cactus Wren, Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Band-tailed Pigeon, House Wren, Northern Cardinal. A few additional ones seen by some on the walk included: House Sparrow, Inca Dove, Canyon Towhee, Rock Wren.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Friday, Oct. 10
A singing Gray Vireo along Silver King Wash north of Ayer Lake may have been the same bird found there on Oct 7. At least three rather late Bell’s Vireos were still present and one male Hooded Oriole was noteworthy. A remarkable flock of 45-50 Band-tailed Pigeons (rare, infrequent transients here) flew westward; later six arrived and entered the eucalyptus grove before sunset. At least 20 Western Tanagers foraged on pistachio fruit. A Peregrine Falcon flew over Queen Creek on October 7.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Monday, Oct. 6
In addition to most of the species below reported by the Hosmers, I noted 2 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS in pistachios at the olive grove and later near the here garden where several Northern "Red-shafted" Flickers were joined by both male and female "YELLOW-SHAFTED" Flickers, 3 Hermit Thrushes (first of season), 1 female SUMMER TANAGER, and 12 Western Tanagers. Over a period of 40 minutes, I followed a Red-breasted Nuthatch (possibly the one first reported on Sept 7) from eucalyptus trees near the Legume Garden through the olive grove to the trees at the Clevenger House/Herb Garden. Other species observed were: 1 Cooper's Hawk, 2 Mourning Dove at Ayer Lake, 3 Hutton's Vireo (first of season), 2 Bell's Vireo, Cactus and House Wrens; 2 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher in the Chihuahuan Gardens, 1 Cedar Waxwing, 1 Black-throated Gray Warbler, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 1 Wilson's Warbler, 2 late male Hooded Oriole, a flock of Brewer's Blackbird, 3 Spotted Towhee (first of season), 2 Rufous-crowned Sparrow, 4 Canyon Towhee, 1 Lark Sparrow, and House Sparrows.

From: Nathan Williams
Date: Friday, Oct. 3
I spent the afternoon at BTA today and met up with a group birding as part of the Arizona Field Ornithologists conference over the weekend. My highlights included a Peregrine Falcon flying over the Demonstration Garden, an American Kestrel along Queen Creek, 2 Green-tailed Towhees (one in the Hummingbird Garden and the other on
north side of the Demo Garden), and 2 Red-naped Sapsuckers (one in the
Hummingbird Garden and the other in Queen Creek). .My sightings are below (the other AZFO members, led by John Saba, had some additional species not listed here). Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren
, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Curve-billed Thrasher, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's note: Nathan's complete report is postd athttp://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20020767

From: Cindy Marple
Date: July 13, Sunday
Birds of yellow were a common element today - we started with great views of a singing male Yellow-breasted Chat at the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden, where we also saw Lesser Goldfinches - then found a young Yellow-headed Blackbird up at Ayer Lake. The continuing Common Ground-Dove was vocal and easily found perched above the Smith Building parking lot shortly after our walk began at 6:30am, and we observed Bronzed Cowbirds as we walked through the Cactus Garden up to Ayer Lake. One Blue Grosbeak was observed from the southern tip of the 'Demo Garden' -- seen in Queen Creek. Also on our Sunday checklist were Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird,
Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Anne Leight
Date: July 6, Sunday
A Belted Kingfisher in the lone cottonwood tree at the south side of Ayer lake was amongst our most exciting finds Sunday, we also saw 3 common ground doves near the entrance to the Demonstration Garden - at first, a pair together in a tree, both flew, then just a few branches above the two that flew we saw a third! All were vocal, they were located by their calling. One Blue Grosbeak was observed from the Picnic Area, as you look south across Queen Creek - and we saw a Hooded oriole nest in a Pistachio tree; the male and female were hanging around it, with two young from probably their first clutch this season. Also on our Sunday checklist were 4 Gambel's Quail, 11 Turkey Vulture, 2 Eurasian Collared-Dove, numerous White-winged Dove, 5 Mourning Dove, 2 Anna's Hummingbird, 1 Costa's Hummingbird, 6 Broad-billed Hummingbird,
2 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 4 Black Phoebe at Ayer lake; 4 Ash-throated Flycatcher, 4 Western Kingbird, 5 Bell's Vireo, 5 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 12 Violet-green Swallow (about a dozen seen originating from the rocks on the south side of Ayer lake, darting over the lake for bugs, then returning to the rocks); numerous Verdin, 1 Canyon Wren, 1 Cactus Wren, 4 Curve-billed Thrasher, numerous Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler yellow Warblers and Yellow-breasted Chat; 2 Common Yellowthroat at Ayer lake, 5 Abert's Towhee, 4 Black-throated Sparrow, 4 Song Sparrow, 3 Summer Tanager, 7 Northern Cardinal, 1 Black-headed Grosbeak (heard, not seen); 3 Great-tailed Grackle (flyover); 4 Bronzed Cowbird, 2 Brown-headed Cowbird, 1 Bullock's Oriole, 4 House Finch and many Lesser Goldfinch. View Anne's checklist and comments online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19009512

From: Lindsay Story
Date: May 12, Monday
A male AMERICAN REDSTART was at the Arboretum this morning about 9a.m., in the Hummingbird Garden darting around and foraging under the thick canopy of the large Texas Ebony tree near a colorful patch of Yellow Columbine flowers (there's a hummingbird nectar feeder hanging under this tree). The redstart's bright orange-red patches really stood out on the black of tail and wing; there's a small chance that a female was in the background. The continuing Common Ground-Dove was in the parking lot by the Hummingbird Garden around the same time. Later in the morning I heard someone else report the Redstart was near the Smith Building, just a short distance from the Hummingbird Garden.

From: Richard Ditch, also Cynthia Donald and Pete Moulton
Date: April 5, Saturday
Two COMMON GROUND DOVES (at least one repeatedly, softly calling their distinctive "hooOOOOip, hoooOOOip") were seen around 10am at the north end of the Picnic Area parking lot, right below the visitor center, perched in a mesquite tree along the service road near the demonstration garden entrance. The first-of-season kingbirds for BTA were seen and heard today (both Cassin's and Western), as well as Ash-throated Flycatcher. We had good views of the Hooded Merganser pair which continues at Ayer Lake, where we also had a Common Yellowthoat calling from the cattails, Marsh Wren, two Pied-billed Grebes on the water and also Black Phoebe, Song Sparrow, Bell's Vireo and Violet-green Swallow. Today's group was large enough to divide in halves; Rich's group also found (in the order they were seen) Northern Cardinal, Gila Woodpecker, Costa's Hummingbird, Lesser Goldfinch, White-crowned Sparrow, Verdin, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Zone-tailed Hawk (lifting-off with the Turkey Vultures, observed right from the visitor’s center as the walk began); White-winged Dove, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Phainopepla, Curve-billed Thrasher, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Raven, Cactus Wren, House Sparrow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Silver King Wash), Lucy's Warbler, Hammond’s Flycatcher (Eucalyptus loop), Northern "red-shafted" Flicker, Hermit Thrush, Hooded Oriole, Abert's Towhee, Yellow Warbler and Inca Dove. Cynthia Donald and Pete Moulton's group added these to the day's checklist: Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Lincoln's Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Gambel's Quail, Black-throated Sparrow and Bewick's Wren (with Anna's Hummingbird, Lesser Goldfinch and Cactus Wren each on nests with young!" added Cynthia). EDITOR'S NOTE: guided 8:30 AM birdwalks continue April 13 with a walks guided by Anne Leight and Nathan Williams; Kathe Anderson and Dave Pearson guide the walk April 19.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: March 10, Monday
An immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was seen in Salt Cedars east of the palms. The season's first Warbling Vireo and Hooded Oriole were also noted. An Orange-crowned Warbler foraged in the Demo Garden.

From: Anne Leight
Date: March 9, Sunday
The March 9th bird walk at Boyce Thompson Arboretum was pleasantly surprised with Co-leader Dr. Carl Tomoff from Prescott College; he joined Anne Leight, and reported a PAINTED REDSTART in the Pine Loop-Eucalyptus grove and a Pyrrhuloxia above Silver King Wash north of Ayer Lake. While waiting for the walk to start, we were entertained by NORTHERN CARDINALs, GILA WOODPECKER, ANNAS and COSTAS HUMMINGBIRDS, and many VERDIN. We started by discussing the two different types of nests Verdin build: one for sleeping, one for raising young. Soon, we heard two BELL'S VIREOs near the hummingbird feeders; these two have just arrived and are claiming their territory (very vocal). The group then observed an old Bell's vireo nest cleverly suspended in a "V" in a nearby shrub. A Male BROAD-BILLED Hummingbird showed off at the feeders. In the demonstration garden we observed an Anna's Hummingbird on a nest. We heard nestlings in a cholla being fed by a pair of CURVE-BILLED THRASHERS. A male PHAINOPEPLA visited its fresh nest in early stage. Dr. Tomoff asks why the male would have such conspicuous white patches in its wings, then the male flies just overhead to join a female on a neighboring tree. As if on cue, there is the answer. Then we venture to the picnic area and learn how other birds take advantage of the drilling sapsuckers make: the dripping sap is left for other birds, and it attracts insects which also attracts other birds. We heard GAMBEL's QUAIL, and INCA DOVES, singing BEWICK's WRENS, and saw RUBY-CROWNET KINGLETs and a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. As we walked into the eucalyptus forest, we were mesmerized by the calling and the beauty of a male VERMILLION FLYCATCHER, when all of a sudden (10:00AM) a COMMON BLACK HAWK lifted off from his overnight roost in a nearby eucalyptus. What a sight! WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS would swoop overhead as we walked toward Ayer Lake. The Vermillion was following us, and a BLACK PHOEBE was interested in the mud left in a hollow from last week's rain. We met up with a group that was watching a BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER, some of use only got a glimpse of it, but we did hear it. At Ayer lake, we were glad to see the HOODED MERGANSER pair that has wintered there since December 30th. We could hear a MARSH WREN, and of course the friendly COOT came on shore to great us. We walked on toward Thompson's 'castle' where a pair of SAY"S PHOEBES appeared to carry possible nest material under the eaves. Further down in the canyon we heard the calling of a CANYON WREN (not Dr Tomoff this time), and decided to wait on the suspension bridge until it would show. Well, we waited, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, we waited, LESSER GOLDFINCHs, ABERT'S TOWHEE, then very quickly saw and heard the CANYON WREN. Walking back through the Eucalyptus forest we found a SPOTTED TOWHEE, GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE, HUTTON"S VIREO, and (Oregon) DARK-EYED JUNCOs. I pointed out an easy way to age Spotted Towhees (by iris color: younger birds have chestnut brown and older birds have blood-red).

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: March 7, Friday
The exquisite Hooded Mergansers are still at Ayer Lake along with the American Coot, at least one Sora, Marsh Wrens, Song Sparrows, and a pair of Black Phoebe. A White-throated Swift and three Violet-green Swallows flew over the pond. Red-winged and Brewer's Blackbirds and a few European Starlings continue to roost in the marsh. A male Cooper's Hawk launched into courtship flight while the female called from the eucalyptus grove. An adult Red-tailed Hawk cruised over the canyon. Several Anna's Hummingbirds fed fledglings; both Anna's and Costa's gathered nest material. The wintering Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
chased a Red-naped Sapsucker near the pine loop and palm grove area. The garden's first spring Lucy's Warbler foraged in thick vegetation south of the Demo Garden where a pair of Curve-billed Thrashers fed nestlings in a cholla cactus they have used in the past. A Bell's Vireo sang briefly near the visitor center and a second one along riparian vegetation south of the picnic area. A few pairs of Phainopeplas were building nests; some males fed their mates wolfberries. Before sunset the season's first Turkey Vultures (36) arrived. Other species included: Gambel's Quail, single pairs Eurasian Collared-Dove and Mourning Dove, 12 Inca Doves, Broad-billed Hummingbird, the spring's first male Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, "Red-shafted" Northern Flicker, Say's Phoebe, a pair of Vermilion Flycatchers, Common Raven, Verdin, five other wrens (Cactus, Rock, Canyon, House, Bewick's), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Cardinal, four Green-tailed Towhees, Spotted Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, one "Oregon" Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.

From: Troy Corman
Date: March 1, Saturday
Well, we waited a half hour, but the rain did not let up much so we walked to the lake and back. With the wind, we were quickly pretty wet. So for the 30 min. of birding: 8 Anna's Hummingbirds, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 1 Costa's Hummingbird (male); 2 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Northern Cardinal, 2 Lesser Goldfinch, 2 Hooded Merganser, 3 N. Rough-winged Swallow, 2 House Finch, 1 Song Sparrow (singing).

From: Joanne Barr
Date: Monday, Feb. 17
I birded the gardens as a participant with The Great Backyard Bird Count; highlights include the pair of Hooded Mergansers still at Ayer Lake -- plus one American Coot, 15 Red-winged Blackbirds and a Marsh Wren. Also 2 Orange-crowned Warblers, 1 Canyon Towhee, 5 Black-throated Sparrows -- plus an unseasonably early (and graciously vocal!) Bell's Vireo, probably the same one reported Saturday by Richard Ditch during the birdwalk he and Anne Leight guided at BTA. Read my complete Great Backyard Bird Count checklist, and browse others from around AZ, with a visit tohttp://ebird.org/ebird/gbbc/view/checklist?subID=S17041261

From: Richard Ditch and Anne Leight
Date: February 15, Saturday
A distant treat for our bird walk group this morning was the Golden Eagle soaring well above Magma Ridge. Another highlight was a "first of season" Bell's Vireo that was singing on the hillside above and just behind the visitor center. That's my new record for earliest date for a Bell's at BTA -- nearly a full month earlier than the the previous season record of March 13. Other birds seen and heard, in the order they were encourtered, included:
House Sparrow, Gambel's Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, Lesser Goldfinch, Gila Woodpecker, House Finch, Inca Dove, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Cardinal, Bewick's Wren, White-crowned Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Phainopepla, Abert's Towhee, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern Mockingbird, Golden Eagle, Cactus Wren, Sora, Song Sparrow, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Common Raven, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, House Wren.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: February 11, Tuesday
This morning 5 male and 4 female Green-winged Teal and a female Mallard resisted harassment by the resident coot at Ayer Lake. A Red-tailed Hawk chased an adult Golden Eagle away from a previously-used nesting area. A Hutton's Vireo and a Black-throated Gray Warbler foraged in newly leafing and flowering cottonwood and willow canopy near the trailside bench in the native riparian area below Picket Post House. A single Violet-green Swallow flying up the canyon called overhead. I relocated a Green-tailed Towhee wintering in the Chihuahuan Gardens in the Acacia woodland near the conspicuous mistletoe-laden tree.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: February 9, Sunday
Other birds that I noted later in the afternoon included a SORA at Ayer Lake, the male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the picnic-eucalyptus area, a Say's Phoebe on slopes below Picket Post House, a Mountain Chickadee in the palms-pine loop area, three Rock Wrens, four Marsh Wrens at Ayer Marsh, a pair of Canyon Towhees in the Cactus Garden and another pair near the suspension bridge over Queen creek, and two Black-throated Sparrows in the Chihuahuan Gardens. A pair of Red-tailed Hawks called over Queen Creek canyon and a Great Horned Owl hooted in the native riparian area below Picket Post House. Brewer's and Red-winged Blackbirds roosted in the marsh.

From: Anne Leight
Date: January 19, Sunday, 2014
What a pleasant surprise to have Dr. Carl Tomoff (Prescott College) lead a bird walk at Boyce Thompson Arboretum Sunday morning. Our adventure began at the hummingbird feeders were we learned about "year-round" species versus "permanent" species (there is a difference!). As we listened, a permanent resident, VERDIN, was very vocal, in addition to both ANNA's and BROAD-BILLED hummingbirds that were taking advantage of the feeders. As we wandered toward the parking area, several GILA WOODPECKERs, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDs, and AMERICAN ROBINS darted back and forth across the path. When we stopped, a male NORTHERN CARDINAL posed in full view, while YELLOW-RUMPED Warblers chitted and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETs rasped. As we walked to the entrance of the demonstration garden, we learned to strategize our gait so as to keep the potential bird on the path there as long as possible. This worked as we found SPOTTED TOWHEES, LINCOLN SPARROWs, and a HERMIT THRUSH. A flock of a dozen LESSER GOLDFINCH flew overhead. As we walked toward the edge of the picnic area along queen creek, we spread out (many eyes yield more sightings!) and that worked: We spotted male and female RED-NAPED SAPSUCKERs, a male adult YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (which was at first reluctant to give us a look, before it finally moved to a lower tree and …ahhh…a long great look). A male COSTA's HUMMINGBIRD perched on a snag sounding its siren call. As we looked toward Picket Post Mountain, our binoculars revealed many WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS darting about near the cliffs. My meager count of a dozen was most likely 1/10th of how many there really were. We were just about to leave the picnic area when a wise birder thought to check the area we were leaving, and sure enough, Tom spotted a pair of INCA DOVEs dining under the picnic tables. As we walked along the hillside up toward Ayer Lake, we saw both CANYON and ABERT's TOWHEES, SONG SPARROW (A dark sub-species), GAMBEL'S
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, a BLACK-THROATED SPARROW, and heard ROCK WRENs. A covey of GAMBEL's QUAIL made their presence known. When we arrived at Ayer Lake, it was quiet. Other than the usual greeting from an AMERICAN COOT, we did not see much. But wait … listen ….ah MARSH WREN. And, one…no two BLACK PHOEBEs (Possible early courting behavior) were taking turns perching on the pipe. Then …there they are! Across the lake between two clumps of cattails was a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS! And an added bonus, while we were admiring the mergansers, a MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE came out on a branch of the juniper that practically touches the lake's viewing platform. It's great to bird with 16 sets of binoculars! My count during our walk: Common Raven – 3, Verdin – 8, Anna's Hummingbird – 6, American Robin – 3 Curve-billed Thrasher – 3, Northern Cardinal – 4, Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 2 "Audubon's Warbler" – 6 Northern Mockingbird – 4 House Finch – 5, Gila Woodpecker – 6, Hermit Thrush – 2, Broad-billed Hummingbird – 2, Spotted Towhee – 3, Lesser Goldfinch – 13, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker – 1 , Canyon Wren - 2, Abert's Towhee – 4, Red-naped Sapsucker – 2 (Adult M&F), Lincoln Sparrow – 3 , Costa's Hummingbird – 2, White-throated swift- 12, Inca Dove – 2, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 1 Adult male, Song Sparrow – 3, Rock Wren – 2, Canyon Towhee – 1, Black-throated Sparrow – 1, Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow – 3, Gambel's Quail – 3, Black Phoebe – 2, American Coot – 2, Red-tailed Hawk – 1, Marsh Wren – 2, Hooded Merganser – 1 pair, Mountain Chickadee – 1. Editor's Note: Other species Carl noted before or after the walk included: a Hutton's Vireo in the picnic-demo area, a Black-throated Gray Warbler near the palm-olive grove, as well as Red-tailed Hawk, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Canyon Wren, House Wren, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Phainopepla, Green-tailed Towhee, "Oregon" Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, and House Sparrow. Red-winged and Brewer's Blackbirds roosted in the marsh at Ayer Lake.

From: Mark Ochs and Marceline VandeWater
Date: January 1, Wednesday, 2014
Participants on our 'First Day' guided bird walk had the chance to see a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker which has been reported over the past few weeks -- if you're seeking this bird, start down the trail through the Eucalyptus Forest and look to left (East side) - this bird has most often been found working sapsucker wells at one particular heavily pockmarked tree. We had four wren species today: Cactus, Rock, Canyon and Marsh; and three towhees (Abert's, Spotted and also Green-tailed);
both Gila and Ladderbacked Woodpeckers, Red-naped Sapsucker and also Northern 'Red-shafted' Flicker. Other birds around the gardens New Year's Day morning included Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Inca Dove, both Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds; Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Lincoln's Sparrow (also Song and White-crowned); Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.